poem notes in mama journey 
a new (whispered) soul mantra in my little shop
last sunday, a dear friend was visiting and we were talking about how much has changed for me during these last almost six years of living in the pacific northwest. she has known me since i was 14, and then we were colleagues in my job at the boarding school back in indiana. she knows that i was not my most happy, real self while in that job. she asked me about what changed when moving here.
being in a new place was a big piece as i tried to find my way...but part of this internal awakening came as i sifted through the grief that came into my life about nine months after we moved when my grandmother died on the heels of my first golden, Traveler, dying of cancer. my heart cracked open as it seemed to break in two when i found myself in a funeral home in south carolina facing the truth of this first walk into deep grief. last sunday, i said to my friend, "i learned what love really felt like in that moment." we talked about the relationship that i had with my grandmother and how she really did have such a challenge showing those she loved that she loved them, yet she found her way to show me. i know that her love shaped me so much as a person, yet i am saddened that, from my perspective...based on the stories shared with me, she did not often find her way to show this side of herself to others in her family.
i said something to my friend about now i find myself pulled to tell her story...to tell the stories of all the women who came before me. and, at this point at least, i don't mean the details of their stories...i don't mean the specifics of a family's journey. no. i mean that as i share my story...here, with my friends, at retreats, in my book, through the art i create...as i share my story i am telling their stories because they live in me. literally. they live within me. and as i walk in this life, i am the proof of their love...my mother's, my grandmother's, her mother's, and so on...i am the gift of the love they opened up to in their life...even if just for a moment. and i am here to tell their stories as i walk on this path.
today, when the sun hides behind the endless white and grey sky, i pushed myself to get outside and breathe in the crisp air and notice the beauty that awaits if i just open my eyes, my heart...
{see}
i pause, close my eyes, feel my feet beneath me, and remember.
{smell}
opening my eyes, i look up and soak in the whispers of spring.
{hear}
i lean in and breathe deeply as honey-inspired blooming fills me.
{taste}
the water drips overhead and seeks, pools, shines. i reach my fingers toward the sparkling droplets.
{touch}
and with each breath, each moment, each reminder, you are here.
{know}
senses in through the lens 
cherry tree, port townsend, washington . february 20, 2010
wise words in yes. 
port townsend . february 20, 2010
christina's new project, a field guide to now, truly rocks. i am simply in awe of how she is putting herself out there to create such a beautiful project that explores how we can stand in the present in our lives. watch the video at the site to understand a bit more about what christina is creating. i can't wait to see how this project blooms...
katie's world is pure magic.
a glimpse into a daughter's love.
last week, viv stayed for the night as she was traveling to portland. we had less than 24 hours together but it was such a gift to see her, to talk and talk, to share ideas. remember to do this, to spend time with those who understand you...even if you have less than 24 hours.
and, on a fun dreaming of spring note: (oh goodness me) this necklace makes me beyond smiley, this hair band is so dreamy, and these polka dots...swoon.
notes for the journey in make a list. 
beach at fort worden, port townsend, washington . february 20, 2010
wise words in yes. 
a couple of images from a little self-portrait session i did in a peek of sun earlier this week
these days i am...
writing . finishing the last chapter and other parts of the book. my editor's endless patience has been quite the gift during these weeks of trying to be creative with writing, photography, working in the studio while doing perhaps the most creative thing i have ever done (grow a human being). i am behind. but i am getting it done. and it feels like these words i am writing on the page are appearing exactly as they need to.
seeing . the elves were here again (in the form of my mom and steve) and we have unearthed more corners of our home so that it feels more like a true home and not a gathering place for stuff. we have more light, more room, and just the push we needed to keep it a bit neater on a day to day basis. my heart feels so much lighter each time jon and i work together to clean up after dinner, do the laundry, and so on...and most importantly, sit at the table together for meals.
gathering . little pieces of this and that to turn a guest room into the room where the new member of our family will live. there is a crib and a happy chandelier and a few bits of pink and purple. in the little room, i have begun gathering some bits to create the prayer flags that will hang above her and welcome her into the rhythms and love of our world.
listening . i have been sitting in the quiet to hear the wisdom within me. a humming meditation and toning in the shower are pushing me to remember my grounded true self.
adventuring . just finished rereading about magpie's adventures in dreamdark and am ordering the next one. i just love that laini has given us a standing tall in her place in this world heroine that i can't wait for my daughter to meet one day as she turns the pages while on her own reading adventure.
seeking . today, i started reading birthing from within. there have been a few somewhat interesting experiences while having ultrasounds and appointments during this growing a human being time and there is the very slight chance i might have a scheduled c-section. i came close to pitching a tent in the land of uncertainty, especially when i didn't feel like i was being given clear information. but, i am now pushing myself toward being planted in the world of feeling strong in my body, heart, and mind as i see the third trimester of this adventure on the horizon. it is good.
dancing . little breaks to get this body moving have been such a good thing on these grey days. millie, baby bean, and i enjoy michael franti on repeat (dare you to sit still). and really i just can't get enough of joshua radin.
knowing . a group of women has surrounded me during the last few months with their wisdom. with their words of "i am right here next to you. cry as long as you need to" when i thought a dream was dying. with their pushing me to see the truth when i felt like someone had peeked inside my idea journal and torn out every page. with their gentle answers to my many mama questions. with their loud, real laughter. with their brainstorming. with their reminders. with their truth. with their love. and i sit here knowing this truth, this truth that i am not alone, and my heart fills with this truth and i know i am blessed.
and you? what have you been experiencing these days? i would love to know...
this is me in mama journey, the moments. 